Kyiv sanctions on Moscow: Russian gas may have to be transported by an EU …
In the event of sanctions introduced against Russian companies on natural gas transit to Europe, this work can be done by companies which were not affected by this restriction, Naftogaz Ukrainy said in a statement issued on Monday, Interfax reports.
On August 8 Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk stated that the sanctions proposed by the Cabinet against Russia could include a ban on flights and transit of resources via Ukraine.
“The introduction of sanctions restrict transit of resources can limit or preclude further provision of gas-transportation services to certain contractors on the part of Naftogaz and Ukrtransgaz, in which case natural gas transportation services across Ukraine into the EU, Turkey and Moldova can be entrusted to contractors not falling under the sanctions. To that end, they need to sign direct contracts with the operator of the Ukrainian gas transportation system,” the statement said.
Russian Gazprom’s condition to participate in the deal, and thereby to ensure the continous gas flow to Europe, is that the EU has to clear the obstacles related to the construction of Gazprom’s South Stream pipeline, which will transport gas from Russia to the EU, bypassing Ukraine.